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Promoting Intensive Public Awareness Campaign for Mandatory Life Jacket Use Starting in July: “Seat Belts on the Sea”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that beginning July 1, all crew members boarding fishing vessels will be required to wear a life jacket (or personal flotation device).

Regardless of whether a weather advisory has been issued, all crew members on exposed decks must wear a life jacket. Violations may result in an administrative fine of up to KRW 3 million.

This measure will be implemented in accordance with the revised Fishing Vessel Safety Operation Act to reduce fishing vessel accidents and casualties caused by vessel aging and climate change.

Since October 19, 2025, the continuous wearing of life jackets has been mandatory for fishing vessels carrying two or fewer persons. Beginning July 1, the requirement will be expanded to all fishing vessels.

To encourage active participation from fishers before the policy takes effect, the City invested KRW 740 million last year to carry out the Temporary Life Jacket Distribution Support Project and supplied 5,954 inflatable life jackets suitable for fishing operations to 1,902 vessels.

To ensure the early settlement of the mandatory life jacket policy, the City plans to conduct joint awareness campaigns with district and county governments targeting fisher organizations, including fisheries cooperatives by port, harbor, district, and industry sector throughout the city.

In addition, the City will carry out on-site guidance activities for fishing vessels actively engaged in operations in conjunction with fishing guidance vessel activities, with the aim of raising safety awareness among fishers.

The City will also provide education and publicity regarding the mandatory life jacket policy in connection with the Summer Joint Safety Inspection for the Prevention of Fishing Vessel Accidents, which is conducted to prepare for natural disasters during the summer season and to identify potential accident risks in advance.

Approximately 120 vessels, including coastal and offshore fishing vessels and recreational fishing vessels, will be subject to inspection. Relevant organizations, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority, and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, will participate in comprehensive safety inspections covering safety equipment, unauthorized vessel modifications, and continuous life jacket use.

Cho Young-tae, Director General of the Marine and Fisheries Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “Wearing a life jacket is not a choice but a necessity. We will make every effort through publicity and guidance activities to ensure the early settlement of the mandatory life jacket policy that takes effect on July 1, and we ask for the active participation and cooperation of all fishers.”